LOVE LIFE and VOWS (12 page)

It was disappointing that the text wasn’t from Jason. She hadn’t talked to him much since he’d been gone. Vicky didn’t recognize the number but answered it anyway. Her cell was private so it had to be from someone who knew her or Jason. They sent a photo with the caption ‘you might want to see this.’

The feeling of trepidation crept over her but the urge to see what the image was…was even stronger. She clicked on it. The imaged opened to a picture of Jason and Bridgette. Bridgette was looking lovingly into Jason’s eyes with her hand on his arm. Something was apparently funny since they were laughing. It was date stamped a couple of days ago…Saturday. The picture could be innocent but it still made her want to throw up.

Vicky hadn’t seen Jason really laugh or smile since their honeymoon. If she wasn’t sure before she was definitely sure now. He’d been distant because he blamed her for losing the baby. Probably no more than she blamed herself.

*****

The house was dark and quiet when Jason finally made it back from Minnesota. Everyone was most likely asleep since it was so late. Jason took off his suit jacket and loosened his tie as he climbed the stairs. He walked past the nursery. He hadn’t been in there since the before they’d lost the baby.

Angel’s room was right across the hall. He dragged his feet past the nursery to peek in on her. He stood there just watching for a while. She was a beautiful child. Her curls were just as wild as they were the day they’d met. It was splayed out all over the pillow. Jason stepped inside her room. When he bent over to kiss her good night, her eyes flutter open and then closed.

She smiled before whispering, “daddy you home.”

Jason’s throat was thick. He’d heard her the first time she’d ever said it on that night. But, it hadn’t fully registered until now. He kissed her on the forehead before responding, “Yes. Daddy’s home.”

He knew it was selfish but he would have given anything not to have to share her with Ryan.

“I thought I heard someone in here.”

Jason turned around to see Vicky standing in the doorway.

Still unable to look her in the eyes he focused on the photo on wall directly behind her. He stood up to walk out of the room and whispered so he didn’t wake up Angel.

“Yeah…I just got home a few minutes ago.”

Jason gave Vicky a quick peck on the cheek before moving to leave the room. Vicky moved out of his way so that he could step past her.

“It’s late what are you doing still up?”

“I got your message that you were coming home tonight and I…I just wanted to see you.”

They walked towards their bedroom.

“You must have been really busy.”

Jason knew she was probably upset because he hadn’t really talked to her much while he was away; Even though she sounded more tired than angry.

“I was very busy. We were finalizing a couple of big deals and it had to be done by today. I knew you were in good hands with mom, dad, and Shirley. “

Vicky sat on the bed and watched him as he undressed. She wanted to scream ‘but I needed you’! She would have given anything for him to take her into his arms.

She knew he probably wasn’t ready for that yet. But, she hoped in time he could forgive her. Vicky just hoped she had more time.

Jason finished undressing and got into bed and let out a deep sigh “I’m exhausted.”

Vicky climbed underneath the covers too. Jason turned his back towards her and pulled the covers up over his shoulders.

Vicky lay their watching his back from her side of the bed. There was so much space between them. She wanted to say something…anything but she didn’t know what to say. It wasn’t long after that she could hear the even rhythm of his breathing. He’d fallen asleep.

It was close to morning before she fell into a restless sleep. Her dreams were full of Bridget and Jason.

Miriam Rutherford was working in her garden. She’d been out there all morning. That is where she went when she had a problem and needed to work the answers out. Getting the soil underneath her fingers also calmed her nerves.

The sun was baking this time of the day. It was almost close to noon. She’d probably have to wrap it up soon. The heat was going to become unbearable. Miriam still had no idea what to do.

“Is Mrs. Rutherford anywhere out here in this garden?”

She looked up to find John standing there with two tall glasses of ice cold lemonade.

Miriam got up from the ground, dusted herself off, and accepted the glass “That’s just what I need right now.”

“So, did you figure it out yet?”

Miriam was just about to take a drink, “Figure what out?”

“Miriam Rutherford, I’ve been married to you forever. I know that you love your gardens but you don’t think I know that you come out here to be alone and work out whatever issue is going on in that pretty little head of yours?”

“I’m worried about the kids.”

“Ah. I figured as much. Miriam, there is nothing we can do. Unlike last time, they’ll have to figure this one out on their own.”

“John, there is so much love and pain there. And they both seem to be dealing with it on their own instead of leaning on each other. Maybe you should talk to Jason.”

“Sweetheart, we’ve never lost a child. Yes, as grandparents, we were devastated when we lost Jason Jr., but I can only imagine it must be a thousand times worse for them. It’s only been a little under a couple of months. They are both still grieving. Everyone grieves differently.”

“I guess you’re right. The added stress of the Carter’s trying to take Angel isn’t helping either. You know that emergency custody hearing is Friday. I’m nervous about that. I can’t imagine what might happen if they lost custody of Angel.”

“John Lucas and his team have it all under control.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Sweetheart…you know I didn’t help to build a billion dollar company on my looks alone. Just know that John Lucas might have a couple of surprises up his sleeve. I know Jason’s been pre-occupied with work, losing his son, and possibly his daughter....”

John Rutherford took a long drink of his lemonade while Miriam watched and waited for him to finish his thought.

“This is some really good lemonade.”

Miriam hit him on his arm, “John! And?”

“And…I wouldn’t leave my son without a safety net.”

“John did you bribe the judge? I mean, I thought about it but I heard she was as straight as they came.”

“No, I didn’t bribe the judge. We’re going to win this honestly in the courts. If it even gets that far. Let me tell you something else you can take to the bank. If you’ve got your money on Ryan Carter to be the next Governor of Minnesota then you’ve wasted it.”

Miriam smirked, “Well, actually…I already contributed the maximum dollar amount to his opponent.”

John laughed at his wife, “Well, I can one up you. I’ve talked to my lawyers today. I’m planning on starting a Super Pac and raising a million dollars for him. I’ll just need you to weave your magic and plan the dinner party.”

This was one of reason’s she loved John. His commitment and love for his family. He was not to be messed with when he was focused. Miriam knew it was game on.

That look she gave him still worked after all these years. It still made him feel like superman. John couldn’t help himself so he kissed the love of his life hard on the lips.

The hotel ballroom was filled to maximum capacity. The political fundraiser had been a rousing success. As they walked through the crowd, Ryan’s assistant made sure that they shook hands with all of the important people in the room. At ten thousand dollars a plate, it was a wonder they didn’t want them to stand on their hands while doing a little dance. This was the life of a Senator and soon to be First family.

They were on their best behavior. Ryan made sure to be the perfect husband and Alicia made sure to appear to be the doting wife. They’d done it for so long she was on auto pilot. Alicia smiled, shook hands, and made sure to look very interested in whatever was being said to her. However, her thoughts were very far from everything that was going on in the room.

What she wouldn’t give to be able to see Joshua Jones. That was impossible right now. Ever since Ryan caught them in bed together all those months ago, they’d had to put the affair on pause. It didn’t help that he lived in Atlanta and she lived in Minnesota.

Their desperation to be together is what caused her to make the foolish mistake of letting him into her home and into her bed.

Ironically, it was CkR International that brought them together. Alicia remembered like it was yesterday. They’d met almost a year ago. He was attending a business conference and she was hosting a charity event in the same hotel. Alicia was outside of her suite trying to get that nitwit of an event planner to fix one of the many issues she’d screwed up that day. Joshua was on a break. He saw and heard everything. Even then he had a way of making her feel like he could take care of anything.

Alicia couldn’t remember what the problem was but she did remember he managed to calmly solve it. And, after having a couple of drinks together that night, he took care of her sex problem too.

Alicia missed the sound of his voice and the touch of his hands. With the campaign in full swing there was no way she could take the chance of seeing him until it was over.

Ryan was up in the polls but only by a few percentage points. His opponent had been closing in until the press conference. That stopped the bleeding cold.

Alicia shivered just thinking about the whole mess. She couldn’t hate Ryan more if he’d poured gasoline all over her and lit a match. She felt like she was on fire anyway. All of their friends had suspicions for years regarding the state of their marriage and Ryan knocking up that black witch only confirmed what they suspected.

Not only had he embarrassed the hell out of her and her family, but her father was livid! Not because of the affair because in his words ‘men will be men’ but because Ryan had been so careless. He was also old school. He didn’t believe in mixing the races. There was no way he would ever allow that little girl to be in his presence.

He would probably even disown her if he ever found out one of the best lovers she’d ever had was a black man. Just thinking about Joshua brought a smile to her face.

Ryan cut into her thoughts. He pulled her close to him; through a pasted on smile and clenched teeth he spoke, “Whoever it is you’re thinking about just stop. We only have a few more months left so keep it together.”

Alicia stiffened at his touch and immediately relaxed just in case someone was watching. She offered him a warm smile and piercing cold stare.

“Don’t you worry about me Ryan Carter; I know how to control myself.”

“Like the time I caught you in
my
bed with another man huh?” He laughed, “I guess we both like a little chocolate on the side but you could have at least gone to a hotel.”

Alicia’s voice was like honey but her words sliced like a knife. No one looking at them would have ever guessed the conversation that was going on between them.

“I guess I should remind you that the bed you sleep on and all the connections that got you to where you are today are all because of me and
my
family. You’d be
nothing
without me. Let’s also not forget the little mess we’re in right now is because you couldn’t control
yourself
.”

“Tsk Tsk Alicia. Don’t be angry because Vicky gave me the one thing you could never do.”

The color drained from Alicia’s face. Ryan had crossed the line. She surprised him by stepping away from him.

“Excuse me for a second. I need to use the ladies room.”

He nodded to her as she made her escape.

Ryan’s assistant appeared out of nowhere.

“What was that all about Ryan?”

“Nothing my wife and I can’t handle.”

She gave him a skeptical glance, “Well, make sure you do. Remember, someone is always watching. I don’t know what you said to her but I know her face drained of all color. Fix it.”

Ryan understood he’d taken it too far. Alicia was tough and she could handle a great many things but being unable to conceive was the one thing she couldn’t. Before all of the affairs and when he’d wanted to save the marriage, he tried to get her to understand she could still be a mother. They could adopt.

Alicia was excited about the idea until her father made it clear that under no uncertain terms, he would ever accept a child that wasn’t of his own blood.

The devil had a name and it was Alfred Foxworthy.

Vicky slowly opened her eyes to the sound of someone knocking on her door. Just as she’d suspected Jason was already gone. She debated ignoring the knocks but thought better of it.

“Just a second.”

She reached for her robe and put it on.

“Come in.”

The door opened and it was Aunt Shirley with a big tray of food.

“Good morning sunshine. I thought I’d bring you up some breakfast.”

“You didn’t have to do that Aunt Shirley.”

“I know. But, I just wanted to do something special for you. I don’t have money like the Rutherford’s so I can’t buy you fancy stuff or hire lawyers but I can cook. And, I’m a good cook. So, eat up.”

Vicky sat back down on the bed with the tray and Aunt Shirley. She smiled warmly at the woman who shared her mother’s smile. Vicky’s appetite hadn’t fully come back yet but she didn’t want to disappoint her Aunt so she tried to eat a little something.

“This is really good Aunt Shirley.”

“Good. I’m glad you like it. I actually had another reason for wanting to bring you breakfast in bed. I was hoping you and I could have a little chat.”

Vicky finished a bit of her eggs before putting her fork down on her plate. She was hesitant because she could tell by the look in her Aunt’s eyes that this was going to be a serious conversation.